Jump In!

by Shadra Strickland

This bright, joyful picture book celebrates a community at play!

It's a sunny spring day, and the tic tac tic tac sound of jump ropes hitting the ground floats through the wind.

"Jump in!"

Everyone lines up for a turn. The Delancy twins, double dutch divas. Leroy Jones with the hip-hop tricks. Even Ms. Mabel, showing the youngstas how it's done. And after a day of fun, when the street lights start to flicker, it's time to . . . jump out!

With a bold graphic style, read-aloud enhancing gatefolds, and an exuberance that leaps off the page, acclaimed artist Shadra Strickland's author/illustrator debut will make readers of all ages get up on their feet!

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Childrens, Plays, Poetry, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 31, 2023

About the author

Shadra Strickland earned her MFA at New York’s School of Visual Arts in the Illustration as Visual Essay program. She is the 2009 recipient of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award and the 2009 Ezra Jack Keats Award for her first picturebook, BIRD. Shadra currently lives and works in Atlanta, GA.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure I've found one of my favorite picture books of the year! I may not be the intended audience for this book, but it brought back so many amazing memories of my childhood. I remember visiting my dad and cousins in New Year every summer where they would attempt to teach me how to double dutch. Granted, I never really did learn how to "jump in" with double dutch but I used to kill it when there was a single rope being turned. From the brilliant artwork to the fun and interactive rhyming schemes, this ultimately serves as a fun and dynamic read aloud. My daughter and I had such a fun time reading this one at our nightly storytime. From screaming "jump in" together to unfolding the flaps to see additional images, this is one I can see us reading time and time again. The illustrations were so vibrant and fun and really gives readers that sense of community. I highly recommend this one!

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently, I was at a school site and watching a group of 9 & 10 year olds trying to learn how to jump rope. I had to laugh inside because I remember the hours on the playground jumping rope, and learning to "jump in" and being skilled at jump rope at a much younger age. I think I will gift this book to the teacher of that group of 9 & 10 year olds. Maybe they will be inspired. I know she was feeling much the same as I was as she worked with her class.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun book about jump rope games. The pages are very unique where the pages flip up, sideways, all over! A very funny book I really enjoyed! Has a mention about God and grandma jiggling so I would not do it for a general storytime book.

[Shoshanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and lively! Such good vibes! Such great energy! :)

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

High-energy, rhyming celebration of the joys of jump rope. This one will bring back memories for adults and remains relatable for kids.

[Kelly]

This book was interesting. The thing I realized though, with gatefolds, do you open and read that first or do you read it closed first? I really couldn't tell which way the book went!

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exciting, energetic picture book that encourages readers to move.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feel the beat and hit the streets with the Delancy twins, Leroy Jones, Ms. Mabel and Reverend as they jump in and show their moves. My favorite part was watching Ms. Mabel wiggle, jiggle and do a handstand.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colors and movement and all kinds of kids, with poetry rhyming when it's time to "Jump In!" This brings all the after-school vibes as kids (and some adults) jump in to Double-Dutch, hopscotch, hula-hooping, skateboarding, basketball and more. Even a Reverend glides by on his bicycle to add some praise for the out-of-doors. Shadra Strickland not only writes the rhyme but illustrates this happy story, adding more than one double and triple-spreads to the exciting time when everyone comes outside to play a favorite sport, jumping in! A favorite page is a broad view of ALL the players "jumping in". And the ending, wait until you see!

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: Various members of the community join in and show their moves as they share the fun of Double Dutch jump roping on a spring day.

Comments: Fun and lively illustrations made me want to jump in and do Double Dutch skipping myself.

Several foldouts.

This book has many ways that it can be shared in a school. I can see this book being read by a PE teacher before a lesson on jump roping. Or a classroom teacher could share it with a short video demonstration before taking the students outside to try it. I can even see this book shared in music class to help students learn the rhythm and rhymes of Double Dutch chants. 

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗 1/2

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for my neighbor kids, and I couldn't be happier with it!!

The story, about members of the community, young and old, coming together, jumping rope on a beautiful day was so fun to read! And the illustrations... magical! Outside of the actual story, the thing that brought out the child in me was that pages of the book fold out or up to show bigger illustrations. I was reminded of the pop up books I read when I was little.

No matter your age, you will be delighted with this book!

[Candelaria Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was a return to my childhood in St. Louis and to the home I create in Roxbury, MA for my children. I knew and related to everything: the games, the exuberance, the children, the people, the laughter, the joy, the one-upping, the colors. A very talented illustrator, this is the first book Ms. Stirckland has also written. I hope she writes many more.

The illustrations are vibrantly alive and there are several foldout spreads with extra goodies. Readers and listeners will surely be moving while reading this book. It makes me want to go outside and play.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/3/2023 ~ Great rhythmic language. The characters have a range of skin tones, hair styles, and body types. I love the multigenerational play. The author's note indicates that this is not just about jumping rope, but a philosophy of life. Finally, the reader in me loves the variety of gatefolds; the librarian in me is cringing. I will definitely be ordering this for my elementary library.

I found this book on the New Book display at the Bolivar-Harpers Ferry Public Library in West Virginia.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadra Strickland celebrates a community who brings their street alive as they share the songs and sounds of jump ropes, skate boards, hula hoops, basketball, hop scotch and every other activity that children and adults can play from sun-up to sundown. The vibrant double and triple spreads throughout the book allow the action packed illustrations to explode with the action. Perfect concept book for exploring or reminiscing (which I did) about the joy of outdoor fun. I highly recommend.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Kinetic!. Wow, this is a high energy poem that makes me feel like getting up and jumping. (not that I really did.)

Told in rhyming verse, it's a slice of life story about a community and their double dutch jumping days. It's an all day event and it seems that everyone gets in on it.

The artwork is vibrant and full of energy also. It all matches for a high intensity experience.

Any jump ropers out there. They should love this.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ode to the joys of playing jump rope out in the neighborhood with all the kids in the long summer days. Will even old Ms Mabel jump in? Will the Reverend jump in? Absolutely! This would make a great summertime storytime challenge to the older kids to try it out themselves. Pair this with "I Got the Rhythm" and "The World Belonged to us" for inner city summertime joy.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Group play is emphasized in the vibrantly illustrated picture book Jump In! By Shadra Strickland. Kids playing jump rope at the playground find that not only do kids love the game, but grownups do too! This energetic book is sure to encourage kids 5 – 10 to go outdoors and create some fun of their own.

[Summer D Clemenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book about having fun in your community. Jump In by Shadra Strickland doesn’t just have the children playing but the adults join in too! Whether it is with a jump rope, basketball, skate board or bicycle this neighborhood and their dogs enjoys sports together. The illustrations are as colorful as the people at the park. I really enjoyed this book.

[Ellen L. Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exuberant book about the joy of jumping that will inspire kids to head out and shout, “Jump in!” Soon the whole community will be jumping! Love the vibrant colors, the rhythms and rhymes of the text, and the jump-off-the-page illustrations.

[Alliah Agostini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jump In!'s lively, rhythmic text and joyful illustrations are so much fun for kids and adults, alike. The fold-out surprises inside add an extra bit of delight for all readers, but Ms. Mabel *really* steals the show.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rhyming, rhythmical picture book about double Dutch. Movement seems to be the main character. Gate fold s and bright, vibrant artwork fill the pages, endpages, and case cover of this fun and engaging picture book. A must read! Highly recommended.

[Diana Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book! Great rhythm & rhyme in the text- very reminiscent of a jump rope hitting the pavement. Bright and colorful illustrations, plus multiple gatefolds to stretch the action even further. Just pure fun!

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

EXCELLENT representation of a community getting down to music and the beat--to the surroundings that make them sing! Do kids nowadays do double Dutch or jump rope anymore? I don't know but this book will probably inspire youth too.

[Tessa]

Definitely thought this would be a picture book version of the DCOM Jump In but no haha. Didn’t love it but it was kinda fun. Got some smiles out of Maisie. Makes me hope we can help Maisie be an outside kid

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. This book was full of energy, from the illustrations to the poetic text. It incorporated everyone on the block regardless of age, race, gender, or disability. A very nice book to introduce the somewhat lost art of Double-Dutch.

[Addie]

Read to the audience at KU Lit conference 2025.
Looking forward to reading it with classes and have them read the repeated line "Jump in"
Looking forward to collecting more of her works in the library

[Abbigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fun ode to jumping rope and the community it inspires. There were a couple of lines here and there that lost the rhythm in my opinion, but overall a very fun book to read aloud with several pages that open up into bigger spreads.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joyful rhyming readaloud full of exuberance and beautiful art! A wonderful addition to any storytime, I highly recommend this wonderful picture book!

[Jared White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think most of the time double dutch is considered a girl's thing so it was neat to see a boy jump in, a male reverend, and also an older lady, too!

[Jessica Mercado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super fun to read! Loved the diversity of the characters and the artwork was so vibrant. It reminded me of community, and of growing up in NYC. Highly recommend!